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As traceability initiatives make their way through multiple industries, we are seeing greater use of sequential data, such as in serialization guidelines.

Leading the effort to make the supply chain safer and more efficient, in 2013 the Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA) helped secure a national framework to trace prescription medications through the enactment of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA). The law preempted a 50-state patchwork of pedigree requirements with one federal traceability solution for prescription medicines. Sequentially numbered barcode labels are perfect for many applications that require a unique sequential number in a barcode environment.

To keep even better track of your products, it is possible to add sequential numbers to your label design. Sequential numbers on your labels mean that they will be printed and arranged using a numerical sequence, starting with the first number that you provide. For example, if you order sequentially-numbered labels with a starting number of 1001, you would receive labels with the numbers 1001, 1002, 1003, etc. You can also use a prefix to create a set of numbers for a department, or for assets purchased in a year. An example would be 2012-1001 (the “2012” is the year prefix).

While sequential data is being used more frequently in barcodes, we as verification experts recognize the need to validate the sequential data for our customers. This is an option available with the Microscan in-line print quality verification systems such as:

This module “reads” characters and reports the data content. This data is typically variable and the content remains unknown until it is read. It is important to note that the system can be trained on what to expect for every character position. In other words, the software can be programmed on what characters to expect: alpha, numeric, or special characters. Many fonts are used in the printing industry. The LVS-7500 is designed to learn new fonts as necessary.

Optical Character Verification (OCV)

The OCV module verifies human-readable characters at unparalleled speeds at point sizes as low as four printer points (one printer point is defined as 1/72nd of an inch or .35 mm). The LVS-7500 OCV module ensures that a string of sequential alphanumeric characters is verified against a known field or database. In other words, you program the software to detect which characters should appear and the software reports whether or not those characters appeared. The software will also return a percentage score indicating how well the character(s) matched the trained character(s).

Number Validation

Verifies the expected order of any numerical series, detects duplicates and sequence errors, and matches variable numbers with external data files.

Data and Code Matching

Verifies encoded data that represents human-readable information and ensures synchronicity of multiple fields within a label.

PDF Comparator

The PDF Comparator program allows the comparison of PDF artwork to the “golden image” for the actual print job.

Setup Matching

This is used to set up sequential, matching, or incremental information checking. When checking sequential data, you must select Ascending or Descending. If the numbers are incrementing by a different amount, you can select the amount to increment in the Step list box. If the sequence is a combination of alpha and numeric, then select the Base numbering system.

Match to File

This feature compares the data decoded within a sector to the data on a file created by the user. Options include:

Duplicates Allowed – The system allows for repeated data within the same sector and/or file.

Unique per Sector – The system does not allow any repeated data within the same sector and/or column within a file.

Unique per Job – The system does not allow any repeated data within the same sector and/or file.